Tape measure with finger grip and finger guard guide

ABSTRACT

A tape measure including a casing defining an enclosure with a front wall having a blade aperture adjacent a bottom wall. A rule blade is normally retractably stored in a coiled condition within the enclosure having an inner end thereof secured within the enclosure and an outer end protruding through the blade apreture. Graduated indicia markings are positioned along the length of the rule blade functioning as a measuring scale. A lock and automatic rewind switch are carried on the front wall keeping a portion of the rule blade in an extended locked until the switch is manually operated retracting the rule blade into the enclosure. An end hook is attached to the outer end of the rule blade and is adapted to be normally laid over an edge of a flat item to be measured. A device is positioned on the end hook for stabilizing a marking/cutting tool allowing the marking/cutting tool to be grasped for making a mark, score/cut line across the flat item. A device Is positioned on the casing for protecting an index finger of a person holding onto the casing being moved along an edge of the flat item when the marking/cutting tool is making the mark, score/cut line across the flat item. The stabilizing device includes a slightly concave tab member fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and flexible material and a device for connecting the tab member to the end hook.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The instant invention relates generally to measuring instruments andmore specifically it relates to a tape measure with finger grip andfinger guard guide.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous measuring instruments have been provided in prior art. Forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,186,853 to Smith; 4,574.486 to Drechsler;5367,785 to Benarroch and 5,390,426 to Hull all are illustrative of suchprior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purposeto which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes ofthe present invention as heretofore described.

Smith, Edward F. Rule U.S. Pat. No. 1,186,853

In a measuring instrument a rigid terminal portion is cut away along oneedge adjacent to its end. A plate is pivotally attached to the portionand has a finger adapted in one pivotal position of the plate, to lieadjacent to the cut away edge in substantial alignment with the edge.The plate has a stop adapted to contact the end of the portion to alignthe finger with the end of the portion when the plate is swung throughninety degrees.

Dreschler, Mark A. Top Reading Rule Using Blades with Directional ArrowsU.S. Pat. No. 4,574,486

A top reading rule has a coilable blade with measuring indicia on bothsurfaces thereof. On its surface visible through the top reading window,the measuring indicia are offset from the outer end thereof and includesa longitudinally extending central band of a color distinct from thebackground and directional pointers spaced along the length of the bandof a color distinct from that of the band. The pointers indicate thedirection of increasing numbers so that a user may readily determine thelength represented by graduations intermediate the numbers.

Benarroch, Isaac Locking and Measuring Device U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,785

A locking and measuring device which includes a housing having a topwall, a bottom wall, a first spaced end wall and a second spaced endwall. A first opening is in the first spaced end wall and a secondopening is in the top wall An extendable length of substantially strongand durable, yet bendable material has a terminal end. The length ofmaterial is normally, retractably stored in the housing with theterminal end at all times exteriorly accessible of the first opening.The terminal end of the length of material includes a locking end zoneto be inserted into the second opening wherein it is matingly receivedand releasably captivated until released. Along the length of materialgraduated indicia are provided defining a measuring scale.

Hull, Anthony K. Tape Measure Clip U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,426

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a clip foruse with a tape measure comprising a generally U-shaped channel sized topermit a standard tape measure to be retained in the channel. Thechannel is provided with a horizontal slot cut in the lower edge ofopposite sides of the channel adjacent one end. The slots are sized topermit the ruler of a square or other straight edge to be inserted andheld in place between the bottom of the tape measure and the floor ofthe channel. This configuration permits the square and tape to move asone, so that the tape may be read as it passes over the outside edge ofthe edge of the blade of the square. A mark may be scribed at any pointacross the top of the material without hindrance and the user will haveone hand free to scribe the mark

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a tape measurewith finger grip and finger guard guide that will overcome theshortcomings of the prior art devices.

Another object is to provide a tape measure with finger grip and fingerguard guide, in which the finger grip being a tab member with indiciamarkings is hinged to an end hook on the rule blade, so that the tabmember can be placed in a vertical position and gripped by fingers of afirst hand of a person to stabilize a marking/cutting tool, such as apencil or knife on a flat item to make a mark, score or cut linethereon.

An additional object is to provide a tape measure with finger grip andfinger guard guide, in which the finger guard guide being pivotallyattached to a forward bottom edge of a casing of the tape measure andpivoted to a vertical position will protect a finger of a second hand ofthe person grasping the casing when the finger guard guide is movedalong an edge of the flat item, when the marking/cutting tool is makingthe mark, score or cut line thereon.

A further object is to provide a tape measure with finger grip andfinger guard guide that is simple and easy to use.

A still further object is to provide a tape measure with finger grip andfinger guard guide that is economical in cost to manufacture.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the descriptionproceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this inventionmay be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings,attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings areillustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specificconstruction illustrated and described within the scope of the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in, conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein;

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a flat item with the instantinvention in position to allow a marking/cutting tool, being a pencil,to make a mark or score line upon the flat item.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a portion of the rule blade, showingthe tab member with graduated indicia markings ready to be connected tothe end hook by a hinge.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view taken in the direction of arrow 3 inFIG. 1, showing the hands of a person engaging the instant invention, sothat the marking cutting tool, being a knife, will make a score or cutline upon the flat item.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view taken in the direction of arrow 4 inFIG. 1 of the instant invention per se.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views. FIGS. 1to 4 illustrate a tape measure 10 comprising a casing 12 having two sidewalls 14, a top wall 16, a bottom wall 18, a rear wall 20 and a frontwall 22 defining an enclosure 24. The front wall 22 has a blade aperture26 adjacent the bottom wall 18. A rule blade 28 is normally retractablystored in a coiled condition within the enclosure 24 of the casing 12.An inner end of the rule blade 28 is secured within the enclosure 24,while an outer end of the rule blade 28 protrudes through the bladeaperture 26. (Graduated indicia markings 30 are along the length of therule blade 28, so as to function as a measuring scale.

A lock and automatic rewind switch 32 can be carried on the front wall22 of the casing 12, to keep a portion of the rule blade 28 in anextended locked position through the blade aperture 26 in the casing 12.The switch 32 is manually operated to retract the rule blade 28 backinto the enclosure 24 of the casing 12. An end hook 34 is attached tothe outer end of the rule blade 28. The end hook 34 is adapted to benormally laid over an edge of a flat item 36, such as a piece ofplasterboard, to be measured.

An assembly 38 on the end hook 34, is for stabilizing a marking/cuttingtool 40, such as a pencil in FIG. 1, or a knife in FIG. 3. Themarking/cutting tool 40 can be grasped by fingers 42 of a first hand 44of a person, to make a mark, a score or cut line 46 across the flat item36. A facility 48 on the casing 12, is for protecting an index finger 50of a second hand 52 of the person holding onto the casing 12 being movedalong an edge 54 of the flat item 36, when the marking/cutting tool 40is making the mark score or cut line 46 across the flat item 36.

The rule blade 28 is elongated, slightly concave and fabricated out of asubstantially strong, durable and flexible material 56. The stabilizingassembly 38 includes a tab member 58 and a component 60, for connectingthe tab member 58 to the end hook 34. The tab member 58 is slightlyconcave and fabricated out of the substantially strong, durable andflexible material 56. The component 60 can also connect the tab member58 directly to the outer end of the rule blade 28 without the end hook34.

The connecting component 60 is a hinge 62 between the end hook 34 andthe tab member 58. The tab member 58 can fold down onto the rule blade28 when not being used. The tab member 58 can fold up into a verticalposition when being used. Graduated indicia markings 64 are along thelength of the tab member 58 to function as a measuring scale. When thetab member 58 folds down onto the rule blade 28, the graduated indiciamarkings 64 on the tab member 58 will match up with the graduatedindicia markings 30 on the rule blade 28.

The protecting facility 48 consists of a finger guard guide 66. Anassemblage 67 is for attaching in a pivotable manner the finger guardguide 66 to the side walls 14, at a juncture of the front wall 22 withthe bottom wall 18 of the casing 12. The finger guard guide 66 is aplate 68 being slightly wider than the casing 12 and having two curvedside portions 70 that extend back along the side walls 14 of the casing12. The finger guard guide 66 produces a smooth gliding motion whenbeing moved along the edge 54 of the flat item 36, while keeping theindex finger 50 of the second hand 52 away from the edge 54 of the flatitem 36. This makes it steady and eliminates abrasion of the indexfinger 50, so that the index finger 50 is not touching the edge 54.

The finger guard guide 66 is fabricated out of a substantially strong,durable and stiff material 72. The attaching assemblage 67 comprises apair of rotatable members 74. Each rotatable member 74 is integral withand extends up from one curved side portion 70 of the plate 68. A pairof studs 76 are also provided. Each stud 76 extends through onerotatable member 74 and into one side wall 14 of the casing 12. Thefinger guard guide 66 can fold up against tie bottom wall 18 of thecasing 12 when not being used. The finger guard guide 66 can fold downinto a vertical position when being used. Other types of attachingassemblages 67 can be utilized, such as screws, rivets, springs ortongues and grooves, not shown in the drawings.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

To use the tape measure 10, the following steps should be taken:

1. Flip down the finger guard guide 66.

2. Grasp the casing 12 with the fingers 50 of the second hand 52.

3. Butt the finger guard guide 66 against the edge 54 of the flat item36.

4. Manually release the lock and automatic rewind switch 32, to unlockthe rule blade 28, if the tape measure 10 is provided with the lock andautomatic rewind switch 32.

5. Extend the rule blade 28 to the desired length needed and resetswitch 32.

6. Flip up the tab member 58.

7. Place the marking/cutting tool 40 against the end hook 34 and tabmember 58.

8. Hold the marking/cutting tool 40 and the tab member 58 with thefingers 42 of the first hand 44.

9. Move the finger guard guide 66 along the edge 54 of the flat item 36,so that the marking/cutting tool 40 will make the mark, score or cutline 46 across the flat item 36.

    ______________________________________                                        LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS                                                     ______________________________________                                        10          tape measure                                                      12          casing of 10                                                      14          side wall of 12                                                   16          top wall of 12                                                    18          bottom wall of 12                                                 20          rear wall of 12                                                   22          front wall of 12                                                  24          enclosure in 12                                                   26          blade aperture in 22                                              28          rule blade of 10                                                  30          graduated indicia markings on 28                                  32          lock and automatic rewind switch of 10                            34          end hook of 10 on 28                                              36          flat item                                                         38          stabilizing assembly of 10 on 34                                  40          marking/cutting tool (pencil or knife)                            42          finger of 44                                                      44          first hand                                                        46          mark, score or cut line on 36                                     48          protecting facility of 10                                         50          index finger of 52                                                52          second hand                                                       54          edge of 36                                                        56          strong, durable and flexible material                                         for 28 and 58                                                     58          tab member of 38                                                  60          connecting component of 38                                        62          hinge for 60                                                      64          graduated indicia markings on 58                                  66          finger guard guide of 48                                          67          attaching assemblage of 48                                        68          plate for 66                                                      70          curved side portion of 68                                         72          strong, durable and stiff material for 66                         74          rotatable member of 67                                            76          stud of 67                                                        ______________________________________                                    

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together may also find a useful application in other types ofmethods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown anddescribed are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended tobe limited to the details above, since it will be understood thatvarious omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the formsand details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be madeby those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spiritof the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. A tape measure comprising:a) acasing having two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall anda front wall defining an enclosure, said front wall having a bladeaperture adjacent said bottom wall; b) a rule blade normally retractablystored in a coiled condition within said enclosure of said casing, withan inner end of said rule blade secured within said enclosure, while anouter end of said rule blade protrudes through said blade apreture; c)graduated indicia markings along the length of said rule blade, so as tofunction as a measuring scale; d) a lock and automatic rewind switchcarried on said front wall of said casing to keep a portion of said ruleblade in an extended locked position through said blade aperture in saidcasing, until said switch is manually operated to retract said ruleblade back into said enclosure of said casing; e) an end hook attachedto said outer end of said rule blade, whereby said end hook is adaptedto be normally laid over an edge of a flat item to be measured; f) meanson said end hook, for stabilizing a marking/cutting tool, so that themarking/cutting tool can be grasped by fingers of a first hand of aperson to make a mark, score/cut line across the flat item; and g) meanson said casing for protecting an index finger of a second hand of theperson holding onto said casing being moved along an edge of the flatitem when the marking/cutting tool is making the mark, score/cut lineacross the flat item, wherein said stabilizing means includes a tabmember being slightly concave and fabricated out of a substantiallystrong, durable and flexible material; and means for connecting said tabmember to said end hook.
 2. A tape measure as recited in claim 1,wherein said rule blade is elongated, slightly concave and fabricatedout of a substantially strong, durable and flexible material.
 3. A tapemeasure as recited in claim 2, wherein said connecting means is a hingebetween said end hook and said tab member, so that said tab member canfold down onto said rule blade when not being used and said tab membercan fold up into a vertical position when being used.
 4. A tape measureas recited in claim 3, further including graduated indicia markingsalong the length of said tab member to function as a measuring scale, sothat when said tab member folds down onto said rule blade said graduatedindicia markings on said tab member will match up with said graduatedindicia markings on said rule blade.
 5. A tape measure as recited inclaim 4, wherein said protecting means includes:a) a finger guard guide;and b) means for attaching in a pivotable manner said finger guard guideto said side walls, at a juncture of said front wall with said bottomwall of said casing.
 6. A tape measure as recited in claim 5, whereinsaid finger guard guide is a plate being slightly wider than said casingand having curved side portions that extend back along said side wallsof said casing, so as to produce a smooth gliding motion when beingmoved along the edge of the flat item, while keeping the index finger ofthe second hand away from the edge of the flat item.
 7. A tape measureas recited in claim 6, wherein said finger guard guide is fabricated outof a substantially strong, durable and stiff material.
 8. A tape measureas recited in claim 7, wherein said attaching means includes:a) a pairof rotatable members, each said rotatable member being integral with andextending up from one said curved side portion of said plate; and b) apair of studs, each said stud extending through one said rotatablemember and into one said side wall of said casing, so that said fingerguard guide can fold up against said bottom wall of said casing when notbeing used and said finger guard guide can fold down into a verticalposition when being used.
 9. A tape measure as recited in claim 1,wherein said connecting means is a hinge between said end hook and saidtab member, so that said tab member can fold down onto said rule bladewhen not being used and said tab member can fold up into a verticalposition when being used.
 10. A tape measure as recited in claim 9,further including graduated indicia markings along the length of saidtab member to function as a measuring scale, so that when said tabmember folds down onto said rule blade said graduated indicia markingson said tab member will match up with said graduated indicia markings onsaid rule blade.
 11. A tape measure as recited in claim 1, wherein saidprotecting means includes:a) a finger guard guide; and b) means forattaching in a pivotable manner said finger guard guide to said sidewalls, at a juncture of said front wall with said bottom wall of saidcasing.
 12. A tape measure as recited in claim 11, wherein said fingerguard guide is a plate being slightly wider than said casing and havingtwo curved side portions that extend back along said side walls of saidcasing, so as to produce a smooth gliding motion when being moved alongthe edge of the flat item, while keeping the index finger of the secondhand away from the edge of the flat item.
 13. A tape measure as recitedin claim 1, wherein said finger guard guide is fabricated out of asubstantially strong, durable and stiff material.
 14. A tape measure asrecited in claim 11, wherein said attaching means includes:a) a pair ofrotatable members, each said rotatable member being integral with andextending up from one said curved side portion of said plate; and b) apair of studs, each said stud extending through one said rotatablemember and into one said side wall of said casing, so that said fingerguard guide can fold up against said bottom wall of said casing when notbeing used and said finger guard guide can fold down into a verticalposition when being used. .Iadd.
 15. A tape measure comprising:a) acasing having two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall anda front wall defining an enclosure, said front wall having a bladeaperture adjacent said bottom wall; b) a rule blade normally retractablystored in a coiled condition within said enclosure of said casing, withan inner end of said rule blade secured within said enclosure, while anouter end of said rule blade protrudes through said blade aperture; c)graduated indicia markings along the length of said rule blade, so as tofunction as a measuring scale; d) a lock and automatic rewind switchcarried on said front wall of said casing to keep a portion of said ruleblade in an extended locked position through said blade aperture in saidcasing until said switch is manually operated to retract said rule bladeback into said enclosure of said casing; and e) adjustable means on saidcasino pivoted adjacent the front wall of said casing and adapted to beflipped between a first position wherein said means lies parallel andimmediately adjacent to and with an inner surface against said bottomwall of said casing such that said casino can lay flat upon a flatobject being measured, and a second position wherein said means liesperpendicular to said bottom wall of said casing such that said meanscan be placed with an outer surface flat against an edge of a flatobject being measured, said means being adapted to slide laterallyalongside said edge..Iaddend..Iadd.
 16. A tape measure as defined inclaim 15, wherein said adjustable means includesa) a finger guard guide;and b) means for attaching said finger guard guide in a pivotable mannerto said side walls, at the juncture of said front wall with said bottomwall of said casing..Iaddend..Iadd.17. A tape measure as defined inclaim 16, wherein said finger guard guide is a plate which is slightlywider than said casing and has two curved side portions that extend backalong said side walls of said casing, so as to allow a smooth glidingmotion when moved along an edge of a flat item, while protecting fingersof a user of said tape measure from direct contact with the edge of theflat item..Iaddend..Iadd.18. A tape measure as defined in claim 17,wherein said finger guard guide is fabricated out of a substantiallystrong, durable and stiff material..Iaddend..Iadd.19. A tape measure asdefined in claim 18, wherein said attaching means includes:a) a pair ofrotatable members, each said rotatable member being integral with andextending up from one said curved side portion of said plate; and b) apair of studs, each said stud extending through one said rotatablemember and into one said side wall of said casing, so that said fingerguard guide can fold up into said first position against said bottomwall of said casing when not being used and said finger guard guide canfold down into said second, vertical position when beingused..Iaddend..Iadd.20. A tape measure as defined in claim 19, whereinsaid rule blade is elongated and slightly concave, and is fabricated outof a substantially strong, durable and flexiblematerial..Iaddend..Iadd.21. A tape measure as defined in claim 20,further comprising an end hook attached to said outer end of said ruleblade, whereby said end hook is adapted to be normally laid over an edgeof a flat item to be measured..Iaddend..Iadd.22. A tape measure asdefined in claim 21, further comprising means on said end hook forstabilizing a tool, so that the tool can be used against the flatitem..Iaddend..Iadd. A tape measure as defined in claim 22, wherein saidstabilizing means includes:a) a tab member, and b) means for connectingsaid tab member to said end hook..Iaddend..Iadd.24. A tape measure asdefined in claim 23, wherein said tab member is slightly concave andfabricated out of a substantially strong, durable and flexiblematerial..Iaddend..Iadd.25. A tape measure as defined in claim 24,wherein said connecting means is a hinge between said end hook and saidtab member, so that said tab member can fold down onto said rule bladewhen not being used and said tab member can fold up into a verticalposition when being used..Iaddend..Iadd.26. A tape measure as defined inclaim 25, further including graduated indicia markings along the lengthof said tab member to function as a measuring scale, so that when saidtab member folds down onto said rule blade said graduated indiciamarking on said tab member will match up with said graduated indiciamarkings on said rule blade..Iaddend..Iadd.27. A tape measurecomprising:a) a casing having two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall,a rear wall and a front wall defining an enclosure, said front wallhaving a blade aperture adjacent said bottom wall; b) a rule bladenormally retractably stored in a coiled condition within said enclosureof said casing, with an inner end of said rule blade secured within saidenclosure, while an outer end of said rule blade protrudes through saidblade aperture; c) graduated indicia markings along the length of saidrule blade, so as to function as a measuring scale; d) a lock andautomatic rewind switch carried on said front wall of said casing tokeep a portion of said rule blade in an extended locked position throughsaid blade aperture in said casing, until said switch is manuallyoperated to retract said rule blade back into said enclosure of saidcasing; e) an end hook attached to said outer end of said rule blade,whereby said end hook is adapted to be normally laid over an edge of aflat item to be measured; and f) means adjustably mounted on said endhook for stabilizing a tool, so that the tool can be used against theflat item..Iaddend..Iadd.28. A tape measure as defined in claim 27,wherein said stabilizing means includes:a) a tab member; and b) meansfor connecting said tab member to said end hook..Iaddend..Iadd.29. Atape measure as defined in claim 28, wherein said tab member is slightlyconcave and fabricated out of a substantially strong, durable andflexible material..Iaddend..Iadd.30. A tape measure as defined in claim29, wherein said connecting means is a hinge between said end hook andsaid tab member, so that said tab member can fold down onto said ruleblade when not being used and said tab member can fold up into avertical position when being used..Iaddend..Iadd.31. A tape measure asdefined in claim 30, further including graduated indicia markings alongthe length of said tab member to function as a measuring scale, so thatwhen said tab member folds down onto said rule blade said graduatedindicia marking on said tab member will match up with said graduatedindicia markings on said rule blade..Iaddend..Iadd.32. A tape measure asdefined in claim 30, further comprising adjustable means on said casingadapted to be flipped between a first position wherein said means liesparallel and immediately adjacent to said bottom wall of said casingsuch that said casing can lay flat upon a flat object being measured,and a second position wherein said means lies perpendicular to saidbottom wall of said casing such that said means can be placed flatagainst an edge of a flat object being measured, said means beingadapted to slide laterally alongside said edge..Iaddend..Iadd.33. A tapemeasure as defined in claim 32, wherein said adjustable means includesa)a finger guard guide; and b) means for attaching said finger guard guidein a pivotable manner to said side walls, at the juncture of said frontwall with said bottom wall of said casing..Iaddend..Iadd.34. A tapemeasure as defined in claim 33, wherein said finger guard guide is aplate which is slightly wider than said casing and has two curved sideportions that extend back along said side walls of said casing, so as toallow a smooth gliding motion when moved along an edge of a flat item,while protecting fingers of a user of said tape measure from directcontact with the edge of the flat item..Iaddend..Iadd.35. A tape measureas defined in claim 34, wherein said finger guard guide is fabricatedout of a substantially strong, durable and stiffmaterial..Iaddend..Iadd.36. A tape measure as defined in claim 35,wherein said attaching means includes:a) a pair of rotatable members,each said rotatable member being integral with and extending up from onesaid curved side portion of said plate; and b) a pair of studs, eachsaid stud extending through one said rotatable member and into one saidside wall of said casing, so that said finger guard guide can fold upinto said first position against said bottom wall of said casing whennot being used and said finger guard guide can fold down into saidsecond, vertical position when being used..Iaddend..Iadd.37. A tapemeasure as defined in claim 36, wherein said rule blade is elongated andslightly concave, and is fabricated out of a substantially strong,durable and flexible material..Iaddend..Iadd. A tape measurecomprising:a) a casing having a bottom wall and a front wall connectedat a first end to said bottom wall, said front wall having an apertureextending therethrough and positioned adjacent said connection to saidbottom wall; b) a rule blade retractably stored within said casing, saidrule blade including:i) a first end extending through said aperture; andii) graduated indicia markings along a length thereof; c) an end hookconnected to and extending perpendicularly from said first end of saidrule blade for releasably engaging an edge of an object to be measured;and d) means for stabilizing a marking/cutting tool pivotally connectedto said end hook, wherein said stabilizing means is movable between afirst position extending perpendicular to said end hook and along saidrule blade and a second position extending parallel to said end hook onan opposing side of said rule blade, said stabilizing means beingreceivable within said casing when in said firstposition..Iaddend..Iadd.39. The tape measure as claimed in claim 38,further comprising means pivotally connected to said housing adjacentsaid connection between said front wall and said bottom wall forprotecting an index finger of a user's hand when said tape measure ismoved along an edge of an object..Iaddend..Iadd.40. The tape measure asclaimed in claim 39, wherein said protecting means is movable between afirst position extending parallel to and mating with said bottom walland a second position extending below said aperture and perpendicular tosaid bottom wall..Iaddend..Iadd.41. The tape measure as claimed in claim38, wherein said stabilizing means includes a slightly concave tabmember..Iaddend..Iadd.42. The tape measure as claimed in claim 41,wherein said tab member is fabricated out of a substantially strong,durable and flexible material..Iaddend..Iadd.43. The tape measure asclaimed in claim 38, further comprising a lock and automatic rewindswitch positioned on said front wall of said casing for locking saidrule blade in position at least partially extending through saidaperture..Iaddend..Iadd.44. The tape measure as claimed in claim 41,wherein said tab member includes indicia printed thereon so as to alignwith said indicia on said rule blade when said stabilizing means is insaid first position..Iaddend..Iadd.45. The tape measure as claimed inclaim 38, further comprising a hinge for pivotally connecting saidstabilizing means to said end hook..Iaddend..Iadd.46. A tape measurecomprising:a) a casing having a bottom wall and a front wall connectedat a first end to said bottom wall, said front wall having an apertureextending therethrough adjacent said connection to said bottom wall; b)a rule blade retractably stored within said casing, said rule bladeincluding:i) a first end extending through said aperture; and ii)graduated indicia markings along a length of said rule blade; and c)means pivotally connected to said bottom wall for protecting an indexfinger of a user's hand when said tape measure is moved along an edge ofan object, said protecting means being movable between a first positionextending parallel to and having an inner surface mating with saidbottom wall and a second position extending below said aperture andperpendicular to said bottom wall and having an outer surface to engagesaid edge of the object..Iaddend..Iadd.47. The tape measure as claimedin claim 46, further comprisinga) an end hook connected to and extendingperpendicularly from said first end of said rule blade for releasablyengaging an edge of an object to be measured; and b) means forstabilizing a marking/cutting tool pivotally connected to said first endof said rule blade, wherein said stabilizing means is movable between afirst position extending along said rule blade and receivable withinsaid casing and a second position extending perpendicular to said endhook..Iaddend..Iadd.48. The tape measure as claimed in claim 47, whereinsaid stabilizing means includes a slightly concave tabmember..Iaddend..Iadd.49. The tape measure as claimed in claim 48,wherein said tab member is fabricated out of a substantially strong,durable and flexible material..Iaddend..Iadd.50. The tape measure asclaimed in claim 46, further comprising a lock and automatic rewindswitch positioned on said front wall of said casing for locking saidrule blade in position at least partially extending through saidaperture..Iaddend..Iadd.51. The tape measure as claimed in claim 47,further comprising a hinge for pivotally connecting said stabilizingmeans to said end hook..Iaddend.